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I am going to spend this month's article and dedicate it to using Quickcam, or any Webcam, for use as an astronomical camera. Just about any Webcam can be used to take astronomical images - from the cheapest costing $20 to the most expensive cost several hundred. What do they all have in common? They are cheap and easy to adapt to most scopes. This makes them ideal for anyone wanting to try CCD imaging out and not invest a lot of money in it until they are sure it's what they want to do.
My first CCD camera was a modified Quickcam VC on the USB bus. I removed the lens and stuck a cut-off film canister on the end of the Quickcam, which fit nicely into my 1.25" focuser tube. The first thing I imaged was the moon then Jupiter and Saturn. Even though at that time they weren't the best focused and I had trouble focusing, I was hooked.
So what do you need to look for in a Quickcam? Some simple suggestions are find the highest resolution you can. Though it doesn't absolutely mean the largest CCD cell, it usually doesn't hurt. The larger the CCD cell is physically, the larger your Field of View (FOV) - which will make it easier to locate an object. Color Camera's are less sensitive than Black and White cameras so your exposure time must be longer. Check Ebay for Quickcam's and other Webcam's - you'll usually find a good buy there. I got a Color Quickcam II for $20 that way.
Once you have the camera you'll need to modify it for use. This can be done very simply by removing the lens and placing a film canister over it and then replacing the lens assembly with the actual lens in place. You can also completely remove the electronics from the Quickcam and replace the casing with a home made one. I go to Lowe's and purchase PVC end caps that are about 2.25" in diameter, cut out a center hole, and mount a T-Ring to it using hot glue. Then hot glue the camera's PCB inside the end cap, cut a hole for the cable to come through, and seal it up with a piece of styrene plastic from a hobby shop. Parts are usually less the $20 including the T-Ring. Once it is assembled stick a 1.25" nosepiece on it and attach it to your scope and your ready to start taking images.
In the pictures you can see a Quickcam being fitted into an end cap and ready to be sealed.
Now that you're ready for your first image I'd like to make a suggestion for a target. Go for the Moon. Why? It's easy to locate, even out of focus you can tell that the moon is present because the image begins to brighten. Once it does so, begin turning your focuser and if it gets brighter you're headed the right way. If not, turn it the other way until you're in focus. This may sound easy, but focus is the hardest part of CCD work. And Sharp focus is your goal. I'll cover focusing in a later article and in much more depth. For now if you've built your Quickcam go out and have fun.
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